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Web-Related Careers

A common misconception among many who visit this forum is that web development and web design are synonymous. Below are the distinctions between the two careers, as well as some of the skills you might need to pursue one of them.

Web Developer

A web developer is someone who creates web-based applications by using programming languages. Basically, a web developer makes things “happen” within a website or within a single webpage. By making things happen, I mean form-related functions; database calls, queries or compilation; or scripting include-based (dynamic) templates, etc. – anything that allows the user to interact with elements of the website.

If you want to become a web developer, you will need to be familiar with client-side scripting and/or server-side scripting. Additionally, you will need to have some familiarity with database creation and maintenance.

A web developer doesn’t usually worry about the presentational aspects of the applications they create, beyond the overall user experience. In some cases, web developers can also be web designers, enhancing the programmatic output through presentational manipulation. But, usually, after the programmatic scripting is completed, the web developer’s project is then handed off to a web designer.

Beyond the technical knowledge required, it is beneficial for web developers to study and understand usability (what makes a successful end-user experience), accessibility (what is needed to accommodate those with disabilities wanting to view your website), and W3C standards.

Generally, those with good analytic and logic skills make good web developers. If you enjoy math, science, problem-solving, or mechanical manipulation, web development is for you.

Web Designer

A web designer is someone who works with the visual elements of a webpage. This is the person that makes the page look “pretty.” Web designers integrate things such as images, Flash files, or multimedia, etc. into the page to enhance the user’s visual experience, or to supplement existing content.

If you want to become a web designer, you will need to be familiar with some client-side scripting, possibly some server-side scripting, HTML, Flash development and image manipulation. One very important, and integral, facet to being a successful web designer is to understand Cascading Style Sheets. Another, lesser facet, is knowledge of semantic coding (using HTML tags to delineate content, rather than using them for presentational styling - <p> for paragraph, <h1> for a heading 1, etc.)

In contrast to the web developer, a web designer often has to work with teams of people, which requires additional skills in communications. He or she will work in tangent with a programmer and/or the web content author(s) to create a design that both allows the web applications to work unhindered and that complements, rather than overpowers, the actual textual content of the webpage. Web designers often are required to have some marketing knowledge, in order to create designs that appeal to a certain clientele. Lastly, it is very important that web designers have knowledge of usability, accessibility, W3C standards for both HTML and CSS, and a thorough understanding of cross-browser compatibility.

To be a successful web designer, you have to have an artistic eye and creative bent. If you enjoy art, social studies, or communications, you’re probably more inclined to be a web designer.

Webmaster – A Hybrid of the Two

A webmaster can be either a web developer or a web designer. Usually, the webmaster works alone doing both jobs as he or she maintains a website. In addition, a webmaster may be responsible for search engine optimization (SEO), web content writing, and/or marketing.

However, for larger organizations, a webmaster may be more of a project manager, overseeing the work of web designers and web developers. Additionally, the webmaster may be in charge of system performance, usability testing, usage tracking, and other administrative-like tasks.

I hope this information has been helpful.
Good Luck in selecting whatever profession is best for you!
KDLA